Jamie Lenman
Jamie Lenman
Jamie Edward Lenman (born 9 November 1982) is an English musician and illustrator. He was the lead singer, guitarist and main songwriter for the rock band Reuben from 2001 to 2008. After Reuben split, Lenman focused on illustration and began a solo music career. He has released several albums and continues to perform, though in 2024 he announced retirement from the music industry.
Early life and career beginnings
Lenman grew up in Camberley, Surrey. He loved comics like Peanuts and Garfield, which inspired him to draw. His parents encouraged his art and music; he learned piano, briefly played saxophone, and later picked up the guitar. At Collingwood College he met Jon Pearce, and they formed a band that would become Reuben after a name change and adding a drummer. Lenman studied both music and graphics at school and worked odd jobs, including at a fish-and-chip shop, while his band began to gain attention.
Reuben era
Reuben started as Angel, released demos, and then the Pilot EP in 2001. They signed with Xtra Mile Recordings and released their debut album, Racecar Is Racecar Backwards, in 2004, followed by Very Fast Very Dangerous in 2005. The band later formed their own label, Hideous Records, and released In Nothing We Trust in 2007. Financial pressures and high expectations contributed to tension within the group. Lenman also worked full-time as an illustrator for The Guardian (starting in 2007) while in Reuben. In June 2008, Reuben went on hiatus as Lenman felt burnt out and unsure about continuing the band.
Illustration work
Lenman’s illustration career grew alongside his music. He produced educational content for The Guardian and contributed to Doctor Who Magazine under the pen name Baxter. In 2014 Miwk Publishing released Whoah! – From the Pages of Doctor Who Magazine, collecting his Doctor Who comics. He also created artwork for various other projects, including magazines, websites, books, and album artwork.
Solo music career
After some years away from the spotlight, Lenman began releasing solo material. Muscle Memory appeared in 2013 on Xtra Mile Recordings, a double single (Fizzy Blood / Pretty Please) and a 23-track album that mixes heavy metal with folk and jazz. He toured with a small band, with his wife Lena Lenman joining him on vocals for some tracks.
Lenman kept releasing music in the following years. In 2017 he issued the single Mississippi and then the album Devolver. He headlined Lenmania and other festivals, and in 2019 released a covers album called Shuffle. Drummer Dan Kavanagh left Lenman’s band in 2019, and Lenman continued performing with different lineups. In 2020 he released the King of Clubs EP, and in 2022 he put out the single Talk Hard ahead of another album.
Retirement and later activity
In 2024 Lenman announced his retirement from the music industry, stating he would no longer tour or record new material. He planned to do quarterly online performances on Patreon and occasional festival appearances.
Guitar and illustration separately
Lenman has long used Yamaha RGX guitars, starting with one he won as a teenager. He later modified guitars to play guitar and bass live, and has used Fender instruments as well. He rarely relies on effects, preferring clean tones and simple amplification. Beyond music, illustration remains a central passion; he views his stage work as a “sidestep” from his true love of drawing.
Personal life
Lenman is married to Lena, a burlesque dancer who has contributed vocals to his solo work and appeared in his videos. He is teetotal and has collaborated with friends in the music world, including Frank Turner, with whom he shares a long-running musical friendship.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 14:11 (CET).